Leah Curley

Historic Lakeview Inn, now in new hands

Once upon a time, it was the playground of the elite. Elegant, luxurious, and very Victorian, the Lake View House was built in 1874 and opened its doors in time to welcome the first visitors to arrive at Knowlton’s train station. Over the years, the hotel hosted dignitaries and celebrities. Locals booked it for banquets, birthdays and more. But fairy tales end and its popularity waned, what with WW I, the Crash, the Depression, WW II… In 1979, the doors closed. The building slept, unused and unheated, until 1986, when Ron Blair undertook a complete restoration, under a new name: The Lakeview Inn.

Now celebrating its 150th year, the Lakeview Inn is an important
Knowlton landmark and a heritage site.

PHOTO: Brome County Historical Society Archives — Lakeview Hotel Collection

A lively, welcoming community hub

Enter Chantale Bourgeois and Brendan Cote, owners of devIT Solutions, now proud proprietors of the Lakeview Inn. For Chantale, born and raised in Knowlton, it’s a homecoming. Long dreaming of owning a restaurant, she and husband Brendan, a Mansonville native, were shopping for a location when they learned that the current owners of the Lakeview were looking to sell. Should they take the plunge? “We thought about it. Then we thought about it again. And here we are!” says Brendan. Why here? “Because it’s Knowlton. And because it’s the Lakeview Inn.” Thrilled to be back in the area, this dynamic couple looks forward to welcoming visitors and locals. Their goal: to turn this sleeping beauty into a lively, welcoming community hub. “We can’t wait to see everyone!” says Chantale.

First up: breakfast

“Everybody’s asking for breakfast,” says Chantale, pointing to the loss of places like Chez Guy and the Star Café. “And it’s a necessity for a hotel.” The couple also plans to resurrect the pub for casual dining and, eventually, the formal dining room. The Victoria ballroom is ideal for larger events. In fact, they’ve hosted two in their first five days of ownership.

“We’re going to do what we like”

So says Brendan. “For example, I like really good food and really good coffee.” Thanks to the speedy support of Virgin Hill, great coffee is already available. When asked about the challenges of a century-plus building, Chantale isn’t fazed. “We’ve lived in a few so we know what it is. We love the beauty and craftsmanship.” And they plan to preserve it. No major renovations are expected for now. “Just tweaks,” says Chantale. Existing staff has been kept on and more will be hired as required.

But first? Breakfast!